Awards to Seven Individuals for building bridges &
Two outstanding communities for their service

We appreciate your participation along with our Marines,Mayors,
Fire & Police Chiefs, Religious, Secular and civicleaders, Native Americans
and people from different walks of life , races & traditions.

PLURALIST AWARDS
TO INDIVIDUALS
Please note that the award plaques confer the title of “Pluralist” to
each one of the individual recipients we are recognizing today. Pluralist is
some one who believes in living his own life and letting others live theirs.

Pluralism
is not a religion, it is not a mish-mash of religions, it is not even an effort
to bring religions together. It is simply respecting who you are, as you are
created by same process (God) as every one else. It is an attitude of finding
ways to co-exist with least conflicts.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT

Individuals who
will donate over $100.00 will be listed on the website for their support at
www.UnityDayUSA.com. Those who contributed after this book is compiled will
also be listed at the site.

It is our duty to " honor and cherish individuals" who have dedicated their lives
to building bridges among Americans. Their pioneering spirit in facilitating
communities to know and to respect each other is appreciated by the people of
Dallas/ Fort Worth.

On this day, we appreciate and
celebrate their contributions towards building a cohesive America, where no one
has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.

This year we are appreciating seven
individuals who have made a difference in our communities. They have gone
beyond their own cocoon and reached out many others. Over the years we
have admired 22 such individuals who are listed in the following pages.

We have appreciated the Jewish Community for doing their work of
Tikkun Olam (Repairing the world), Muslims for the extraordinary efforts after
9/11, the African Americans for bringing a major change to America; the passing
of the civil rights act. Indeed, most of the Asian and African immigrants are
here today because of Martin Luther King Jr’s work.

This year’s community awards go to two distinct communities;

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

“In recognition of your work in building a cohesive America, and
pronouncing that we are all in this together by sharing your blood with fellow
Americans. Your community's goal of donating 10,000 pints of blood last year,
was achieved as you collected 11,800 pints of blood on the 10th anniversary of
9/11. This year you have a goal of 11,000 pints of blood to donate. The
people of Dallas/Fort Worth greatly appreciate your effort in building bridges
through the bond of blood.

THE SIKH COMMUNITY

The plaque reads, “In recognition of your work in reaffirming the right values when tragedy befalls the community, and indeed, your response to the Wisconsin Gurudwara massacre was exemplary and reflects the teachings of the Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and every one of the spiritual masters from Zarathustra, Confucius, Moses, Krishna, Mahavira, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Baha'u'llah, and other great spiritual masters. Your leadership in building a cohesive America is greatly appreciated by all.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Thanks
for participating in the VIII Annual Unity Day USA, we are blessed with your presence and appreciate the work you do in building a cohesive America. If you
could respond to the dated items below, I would appreciate it.

SEVEN ITEMS

Two
sets of Videos will be uploaded by this
weekend

Some
really good photographs will be uploaded, if you need a print, let me know

Media
coverage links will be uploaded

A
copy of brochure will be mailed ifyou have not receieved it

We
need is your feedback - in one, two or three paragraphs by 9/27/12,
a week from now - send them to UnityDayUSA@gmail.com

Please
send your full profile to be uploaded on the site by 9/27/12 - applicable to
all the awardees, introducers and presenters and past recipients - please send in text format and the email and attach a picture of your choice.

PLEASE CONSIDER

We are $1700 Short, some of the pledges did
not make it and if 10 of you can contribute $100 each and 14 of you $50.00 each
- we will meet our expenses. All the contributions will be listed on the
website. You can pay at - http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

WE APPRECIATE

We appreciate the in-kind support from Laura Sutherland of Unity of Dallas, and John Hammond and Shabnam Modgil of FunAsia. And the financial support from Farooq Hemani, Pastor George Mason, Dr. Basheer Ahmed, The Sikh Community, Shaukat Gaziani, Universal Peace Federation, Dr. Nauman Anwar, Len Ellis, Akram Syed, Pastor Bob Roberts, Suhail Kausar, Sikh Temple of North Texas and...

Once I have it all, I will put a comprehensive
report for every one’s record.

Thanks for attending the Unity Day USA event, I will be updating the reports - Mike

9/11 Anniversary Response

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – On the 11th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, some memorials were different this year.

Only 300 people gathered at the site of the World Trade Center in New York; politicians didn’t speak, either. And ceremonies at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania were more subdued as well.

At the 8th annual Unity Day USA service in Dallas, about 100 people gathered to celebrate one thing that united us that terrible day: that Americans of all faiths and backgrounds are still Americans.

America Together Founder, and Master of Ceremonies, Mike Ghouse explains the importance of tolerance. “9-11 is gone, Osama is dead and I’m glad he is gone. It brought us a relief to the world and that is the relief we need to celebrate that we—it’s time for us to heal.”

He is also lobbying for a federal law to honor the date “Where we can proclaim this as a national day where Americans can come together to celebrate unity and also rededicate our pledge for the safety and security of all nations.”

The Unity Day USA service honored the Sikh faith in the aftermath of massacre in Wisconsin this year; also honored, Ahmadiyya Muslims, who are donating 11,000 pints of blood as a September 11th remembrance.

Sam Madden, a Christian, explains why he brought his 13-year-old daughter, Mary. “The theme of Unity Day, of bringing different faiths together, and educating my daughter that we’re all God’s children,” according to Madden, who adds, “Jesus would have love for all mankind and I try to teach her that.” Daughter Mary is just 13 but has definite thoughts on 9-11. “Back then we used to be far away; now it seems closer since it happened.”

“Always, anniversaries are very difficult” said Peter Stewart of the Thanksgiving Square Foundation in Dallas, “because peoples’ memories are fastened on the moment.” He adds, “I think the memory needs to be kept fresh.”

At the newly-opened Veterans Resource Center in Oak Cliff, the flame of remembrance still burns very brightly for the men and women who served. “I think they’re very important because it keeps it on the mind of the people,” said Kennard Bowlen, a retired U.S Air Force veteran.

“We cry about it.” Adds Delbert Ford, who was among some 200 veterans and volunteers commemorating the day. His niece just missed being aboard one of those fateful flights. Also a Christian, he nonetheless believes vigilance is necessary. “I pray to our God in heaven that nothing like that ever happens again but I also hope that we’ll be strong and be able to stand up.” And to remember going forward, he says.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

It is a purposeful event to bring people of different faiths,
races, ethnicities and other uniqueness together to feel the oneness of our
nation and to feel indivisible.

to be together as Americans

to express our gratitude to our Firemen, Police and Armed
Forcesto honor seven individuals who have contributed to the well being of
the DFW

to honor two communities for their work towards building a
cohesive Americato emphasize and appreciate diversity represented by
America.

to cherish the other American as American and nothing but
American

to rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security
of America

Please join us with your family and friends to be together
as Americans. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our
elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our
common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a
pluralistic America.

Event: 8th Annual Unity Day USA

Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM

Where: Unity of Dallas, Address: 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas,
TX 75230

The Marine Guards will start off the ceremony followed by
the Sikh Community Members singing our national Anthem followed by recognizing
seven individuals who are making a difference in building a cohesive America.
Two communities have been playing an exemplary role in sharing their work and
action that brings Americans together. The civic leaders including state
Representatives, Mayors, council persons, Fire and Police Chiefs will join us
followed by 13 leaders representing Atheism to Zoroastrianism to share the
wisdom or scriptures from their traditions. There will be light lunch in the
Sikh Tradition.

Awards: Seven Individuals for building bridges in Dallas/Fort
Worth communities

We will gather as Americans and rededicate our pledge to
the peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

As Americans, and as American Muslims, we uphold, protect,
defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths
reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for
all”.

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of
America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our
commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our
nation.